No abstract

Selected anatomical and physical properties of stems of Calamus deeratus, Eremospatha dransfieldii, Eremospatha macrocarpa, Laccosperma acutiflorum and Laccosperma secundiflorum in the natural forest of Ghana were investigated to aid in understanding their quality and to promote their efficient utilization. Fibre lumen diameter, double fibre wall thickness (fibre diameter minus fibre lumen diameter) and proportion of fibres exhibited a more definite pattern of variations within and between all the five species than other anatomical properties. Generally, proportion of fibre and double fibre wall thickness decreased, whereas fibre lumen diameter increased from base to top internodes. Initial moisture content increased consistently from base to top internodes whilst relative density decreased in the same direction. Simple regression analysis of physical properties on anatomical properties revealed that fibre lumen diameter, double fibre wall thickness and proportion of fibre are important parameters likely to influence initial moisture content and relative density along the stems and between all species investigated. Stem quality of all five species is also discussed.

The stems of the climbing palms or rattans of Upper Guinea play a significant role in the forest economy of the region through the utilization of the inner stems, or cane, for furniture and the manufacture of household commodities in many rural areas. This chapter summarizes the knowledge available on population dynamics and the abundance of the resource under different harvesting regimes. Market aspects and related information on management strategies are also presented.

We examined the effects of elevated CO 2 and/or O 3 on the wood-decaying basidiomycete fungal community and wood decomposition rates at the Aspen Free-Air CO 2 and O 3 Enrichment (Aspen FACE) project. Mass loss rates were determined after one year of log decomposition on the soil surface, and wood-decaying basidiomycetes were isolated from decaying wood and identified via DNA sequencing. Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and birch (Betula papyrifera Marshall) wood differed significantly in wood-decaying basidiomycete fungal communities and decomposition rate. Twelve years of site exposure to elevated CO 2 and/or O 3 did not have significant effects on wooddecaying fungal communities. Growth under elevated CO 2 and/or O 3 did not produce wood that differed in decay rate from that grown under ambient atmospheric conditions. Similarly, wood decay rate was not altered significantly when decomposition occurred in elevated CO 2 and/or O 3 environments. Our results suggest that wood-decaying fungal community composition and decomposition rates of northern hardwoods may not be directly affected by elevated tropospheric CO 2 and O 3 .

This study sought to determine selected anatomical properties of young Eucalyptus hybrid species (E. grandis x E. urophylla) grown in Ghana. Images of fibres from macerated wood, and micro–sections produced with microtome were analysed using a compound digital microscope associated with Motic Image Plus Software (MIPS), version 2.0, installed on a computer. Images were initially processed using ImageJ software. Study data were analysed using an R statistical package. The overall mean value for fibre length was 907.67 µm, whereas double fibre wall thickness was 7.76 µm. Both variables had higher mean values in sapwood than in heartwood. Nevertheless, the found values decreased from the butt to the top portion. Statistically, axial and radial positions had no influence on fibre characteristics. In a 1 mm2 of the cross-section, the proportion of fibres was 38%, vessels were 19%, axial parenchyma were 22%, and radial parenchyma were 21% on average. Again, the radial and axial positions had no statistical influence on tissue proportion traits for the young eucalyptus wood. Mean value for vessel area was 9462.04 µm2 , whereas vessel frequency per mm2 was about 14. Vessels were significantly larger in area (range 9982.50 – 13544.41 µm2 ), yet reduced in frequency (range 6 – 17 per mm2 ) for sapwood. In heartwood, vessel area was comparatively smaller (range 6321.15 – 7816.69 µm2 ), whereas their frequency was high (range 15 – 18 vessels per mm2 ). Axial and radial position had statistical influence on vessel frequency and area for the young Eucalyptus grown in a plantation in Ghana.